Our Lord Jesus Christ is approaching to Jerusalem where he would be swallowed up by the bloody death through the terrible crucifixion on a cross. This is the most crucial moment for Jesus Christ who is poised to fulfill all the Scriptures even the death on a cross! The Son of God is full of compassion and mercy on his people and the world instead of being filled with self-pity and sorrow. So, he teaches them a parable, revealing the mystery of the kingdom of God. This is called the parable of the ten minas. What’s the significance of this parable? Why is our Lord Jesus telling this parable at this moment? Jesus is telling this parable because he is near Jerusalem and the people think that the kingdom of God is going to appear at once. In this parable, Jesus even tells of his return as King and Judge beyond his death and resurrection. Despite of scientific and technological advancements and a tremendous amount of studies and human experiences in history, one thing that remains stubbornly and persistently the sheer same is the evilness of humanity. Contrary to our wishes and desires to make the world peaceable and comfortable, we’re struggling with the same magnitude and dynamics as the people of ancient days did. Every corner of this earth is filled with misery and wounds and scars and cries. This will go through all the way to the end. “Then he told me, ‘Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.’” (Revelation 22:10-11) But one thing is sure that the end will come and is near, even nearer. In this parable Jesus teaches what he will see on the great evaluation day of humanity.
“While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them
a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the
kingdom of God was going to appear at once. He said: ‘A man of noble birth went
to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he
called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. “Put this money to work,”
he said, “until I come back.” But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation
after him to say, “We don’t want this man to be our king.” He was made king,
however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given
the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. The first one
came and said, “Sir, your mina has earned ten more.” “Well done, my good
servant!” his master replied. “Because you have been trustworthy in a very
small matter, take charge of ten cities.” The second came and said, “Sir, your
mina has earned five more.” His master answered, “You take charge of five
cities.” Then another servant came and said, “Sir, here is your mina; I have
kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a
hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.”
His master replied, “I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant!
You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and
reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so
that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?” Then he said
to those standing by, “Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who
has ten minas.” “Sir,” they said, “he already has ten!” He replied, “I tell you
that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has
nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who
did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of
me.”’” (Luke 19:11-27)
First, in this parable the man of noble birth indicates
Jesus Christ and the servants are humanity, maybe the redeemed one or Israel.
Jesus Christ was King and is now and will be forever. He knew that he was going
to be crucified and buried and resurrected from the dead. Furthermore, Jesus
knew that he would be back to the Father and appointed as King over all
nations. Just as he would be ascended into heaven, so would he return to the
earth, coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory and sending
his angels with a loud trumpet call (Matthew 24:30-31). He also knew that it
would take a while until his return. In fact, it is almost twenty centuries
have been passed since the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is called a
great parenthesis between the first visitation to the earth and the second
coming. The Scripture calls it the last days. So, Jesus reveals the very important
truth in our lives, that is, ‘how to live till his coming’. In this parable,
the man of noble birth calls ten of his servants and gives them ten minas,
saying “Put this money to work until I come back.” It tells there will be a
time for evaluation how we have spent our time on this earth. Life on earth for
humanity is not like playing a game, doing whatever we wanted to do and being
disappeared like wind with death. There is the second death at the end of this
earthly life to those who do not take heed to all the evidence and fact that
God exists and rewards to those earnestly seek him, nor fear him (Hebrews 11:6).
Second, the examination time has come despite their hateful
opposition. The man’s subjects did not like him to be their king, so they sent
a delegation after him to say, “We don’t want this man to be our king.” However,
regardless of the rebellious men’s wishes, the man was made king and returned
home. This is the weightiest and the most trembling moment for all mankind. No
one can escape from standing alone before the judgment seat of the Holy and
Almighty God. The Scripture calls it the Day of the Lord. “It is a dreadful
thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31) The king sent
for the servants to whom he has given money, in order to find out what they had
gained with it. The first servant comes and says, “Sir, your mina has earned
ten more.” And the second servant comes and says, “Sir, your mina has earned
five more.” Then the master says, “Well done, my good servant! Because you have
been faithful in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities,” and “Take
charge of five cities.” It strongly indicates that there will be duties and responsibilities
in the ages to come. Some imagine that in heaven infinite idling lasts. That’s
not true at all. Life on this earth is school time to learn how to live not
only for this age but for the ages to come. It’s a small thing like a wild
flower and mist. They are commended as good and faithful servants and rewarded
to take charge of number of cities. It is written in the Book of Hebrews, “And
without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him
must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
(Hebrews 11:6) This is what they have done by faith while the master was away
from home, being aware of the presence of the master and his commandment and
authority and having the respectful fear of the Lord.
However, the third servant comes and says, “Sir, here is
your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you,
because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what
you did not sow.” Then, the master says, “I will judge you by your own words,
you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I
did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn’t you put my
money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with
interest?” He is wicked and unfaithful and judged by his own words. He has been
resentful and bitter and ungrateful to the master. He knew that the master
wanted to gain by putting the money to work but didn’t want to return anything
to the owner. The master is greatly concerned about the attitude of the servant
whether to honor or despise him. Further, the master says, “Take his mina away
from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.” When the other servants say
that he already has ten, the master replies, “I tell you that to everyone who
has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they
have will be taken away.” It tells the more we obey, making the most of
opportunities, the more opportunities will be given. Practically, it means when
we obey one truth God will teach another and another, forever.
Putting all together, what is mina? It does not indicate man’s
achievements. Rather, it indicates the opportunities from God. Opportunity for
doing good by the power of God is mina. Opportunity for loving one another is
mina. Opportunity for giving thanks to God is mina. Opportunity for forgiving
the unforgivable is mina. Opportunity for offering our body as a living
sacrifice is mina. Opportunity for participating in the sufferings of Christ
with rejoicing is mina. Opportunity for saying a kind word to the unpleasant is
mina. Opportunity for sharing pains and joys with brothers and sisters in
Christ is mina. Opportunity for sharing the word of God with others is mina.
Opportunity for reading and meditating the word of God day and night is mina.
Opportunity for doing chores at home for Christ is mina. Opportunity for
praying for the leaders of nation, refugees around the world, families and
neighbors who are going through troubles and heartaches is our mina. In fact,
mina is found in the midst of routine and ordinary lives everyday. Mina comes
almost likely though through sufferings and difficulties in lives. Grief and
sorrow are God’s chosen vehicles to work out in humanity for breaking the
barrier of darkness and foolishness of man. It is said that even the Son of Man
learned obedience from what he suffered (Hebrews 5:8). There is no servant who
is greater than the master. Our Lord Jesus Christ suffered much to the point of
death in obedience to the Father God. The Son offered his body as a sin
offering in our place in order to redeem the fallen humanity with a price. That’s
our mina to participate in the sufferings of Christ. Apostle Paul says, “Now I
rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still
lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is
the church.” (Colossians 1:24)
How can we offer our body as a living sacrifice in the midst
of mundane lives? It is a two-step process. First, put off our old self by
denying ourselves and taking up our cross, then put on the new self in Christ. “You
were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self,
which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the
attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in
true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24) Without taking the first
step it is impossible to offer our body to God. Why must we put off our old
self? It’s because our flesh desires what is contrary to what the Spirit
desires. It does not and cannot please God. “For the flesh desires what is
contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are
in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” (Galatians
5:17) Practically, it means to die with Christ by denying ourselves and taking
up our cross because our sin must be put to death in order to be made alive
with the power of resurrection. It is the power of God which enables us to
endure and make the most of every opportunity God opens in our midst. “Be very
careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every
opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)
To those who do not want the master to be king over them
will be killed in front of him. “But those enemies of mine who did not want me
to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me.” (Luke 19:27)
Despite of repeated and faithful plea and beseech from the throne of grace,
they remain stubborn and resistant against the extended offer of God. This is
the second death. “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers,
the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all
liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the
second death.” (Revelation 21:8) It is called a complete waste of life. It will
be tested by fire.
“If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver,
costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is,
because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the
fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built
survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder
will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through
the flames.” (1 Corinthians 3:12-15) How are you living now?
February 20, 2017
© 2015-2017 David
Lee Ministries – All Rights Reserved.
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